To commemorate November 25th, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Councillorship of Equality, in charge of Isa Garrido, has prepared a programme of commemorative activities to be held from November 24th to 29th. Associations and organisations such as the Women’s Association of El Poble Nou de Benitatxell, the European Union of Women Marina Alta (EUWMA), Clásicas y Modernas and the Municipal Library are collaborating in the programme.
This year, the campaign slogan, “Silence makes us accomplices. Let’s talk”, is not only intended as a cry against violence against women, but also as a call to speak out: for those who can no longer do so, for those who still live in fear, and for the girls and boys who deserve to grow up in equality and respect. “Breaking the silence is the first step towards freedom. Our commitment as a people is to continue working through education, empathy and justice to build a society where all women can live without fear, with dignity and with their own voice,» said the Councillor of Equality, Isa Garrido.
The events will begin on Monday, November 24th with a discussion on “Prevention and action against violence against women”. It will take place at 7:00 pm at the Social Centre and will feature the participation of the Dénia Women’s Centre and the Local Police.
However, Tuesday 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, will be the main day of the week. At 6 pm, the Social Centre will host the theatrical performance “My life revolves around… 500 metres”. This is a sensory and theatrical experience that invites reflection on the different types of gender-based violence that still persist in our society. During the performance, the audience participates with their eyes covered, symbolically and emotionally experiencing different scenes of gender-based violence that unfold around them. It is an intense and emotional experience, which may be upsetting to some people, so the organisers recommend that those who are particularly sensitive or suffer from claustrophobia or anxiety should not attend the show.
At the end of the play, Kathleen Misson, a member of EUWMA, will perform Bebe’s song “Malo” with guitar accompaniment. This will be followed by a march for equality and against violence against women to the Town Hall, where the three collaborating associations will read the institutional manifesto in Valencian, Spanish and English.
The programme will continue on Wednesday 26th at 6.30 pm at the Library with Vermouth among books and women with Anna Moner, and on Thursday 27th with the Tai Chi session for the freedom and safety of women at any time and place “We vindicate the night”, organised by EUWMA at 10 am at Jávea Golf Club.
On Saturday November 29th in the morning, to round off the programme, there will be a family self-defence workshop given by Geovanny Sánchez, a karate teacher at Benitatxell, in the multipurpose room at La Font sports centre at 11 am.
In addition, as complementary actions to reinforce the commemoration of November 25th, various streets in the town centre will host the visual campaign “Our balconies speak”, and both the Library and the Social Centre will host the exhibition “Girls are warriors, but also engineers”.
